Langworthy Stepping Down, an Isuzu Concept and an Electric Truck with 350km Range

Keeping up with the world of trucks, the news this week is about Peter Langworthy Stepping Down, an Isuzu Concept and an Electric Truck with 350km Range.

At the Tokyo Motor Show, Fuso Trucks announced it will electrify its complete range of trucks and buses in upcoming years. The show saw the unveiling of the E-Fuso, an all-electric heavy-duty truck concept with a range of up to 350 m. Named E-Fuso Vision One, it is said to mark the top end of the electrification path of the company’s portfolio in the upcoming years.

“Our E-Fuso Vision One is an outlook on a feasible all-electric heavy-duty truck,” said Marc Llistosella, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus. “It underlines our commitment to electrify our complete product range. Fuso has been a pioneer in the electrification of trucks for many years.

“Just one month ago we launched our eCanter, the first serial-produced, all-electric light-duty truck. In the future, all our electrified vehicles will run under the name of E-Fuso, our new product brand dedicated exclusively to electric trucks and buses. With the eCanter, we have proven electric trucks are feasible for commercialisation. Today, our eCanter saves up to 1,000 Euros ($1,533) in running costs per 10,000km.

Dana Boss to Step Down

Peter Langworthy, Managing Director at Dana, has announced he will be stepping down from his role at the end of the year, after steering the company out of the choppy waters surrounding the decision by Ford to stop manufacturing cars in Australia.

Over the seven years Langworthy has been running the Dana operation in Australia, he has had to transform the company from one supplying components to the Ford plant in Campbellfield, Victoria, to a more targeted supplier of axles, differentials and other components to the truck manufacturing industry and other automotive applications. The transformation has seen the operation move from a number of older facilities to one large, purpose-built plant and HQ building in Keysborough in Melbourne’s east.

Isuzu Concept On Show

Also appearing at the Tokyo Motor Show is a concept model of a truck designed based on a honeycomb from Isuzu. Design Concept FD-SI, is said by Isuzu to be focused on ‘swarm intelligence’, which is observed in insects.

Seeing the lateral side of the truck as a honeycomb, Isuzu came up with a structure that houses hexagonal boxes. By effectively using the luggage space, it becomes possible to improve pickup/delivery efficiency. The driver’s seat is located in the centre so that the driver can easily move in and outside the truck.

One commentator reporting from the show called the concept Isuzu’s honeycombed ‘toaster on wheels’.

Nic Topping, Product Development Manager, Isuzu Australia.

Meanwhile, back in Australia, Isuzu has announced Nic Topping will take on the role of Product Development Manager. He moves into his new role after serving as a Product Development Engineer at Ford Australia, and is said to be eager to sink his teeth into this ‘dynamic, hands-on role’ in the heavy vehicle sector.

“It’s going to be an excellent opportunity to make sure every aspect of an Isuzu truck, from the emissions coming out of the exhaust, to the appointments in the cabin, has been engineered for application-specific purposes and then tested rigorously in a local environment,” said Topping. “Isuzu wants to present the best possible product offering to the Australian truck buyer, and I’m excited to play a part in the team around me as we strive towards that goal.”